I ORIGINALLY started to pen this note in support of John Phillpott's editorial a few weeks ago about speed cameras.

Anticipating smug and self-righteous responses from some of your correspondents, I binned it.

After all, whatever my argument, these out-dated, nave, and entirely predictable people have the law on their sides.

The justification for my restraint was the lecturing letter from Mr Shirley and then the Safety Camera Partnership standard script from Heather Mead.

Well done and thank you, Mark Davis. Your letter has finally prompted me to write what has been 12 months in gestation.

I was trapped/caught, after 28 years of driving without an accident. My offences - 87 mph (yes, I know) on the M4 and 36 mph on Bromyard Road adjacent to the Kays premises.

I am now the "proud," very, very resentful owner of six points, incurred within 10 days of each other; ie similar circumstances to Mrs Phillpott.

The sadness is that I have become a considerably poorer driver because I now constantly watch the speedometer for fractional infringements, which clearly supports Mark Davis' point.

I also delay other drivers in limited zones, which often frustrates them enough to dangerously overtake me. Fortunately, I'm not too prone to road-rage.

Like many other experienced drivers, I drive for the conditions and this does not mean excessive speed (as I judge it).

I'm sure the authorities welcome the cash generation, but my slightly tongue-in-cheek suspicion is that a sub-agenda exists to have a rolling ban in force for a high percentage of drivers, thereby freeing up roads.

The best practice and law surely should be - drive at a speed suitable to the time, place, car and driver's abilities and circumstances. Tie this in with time variable speed limits.

The motorway speed restrictions are also ludicrous. I will not go as far as to suggest ways to enforce what would be subjective circumstances, but we measure other issues in a subjective way - why not speed?

DAVID CORNELIUS, Malvern.